Southern Locomotives Ltd have posted some more photos of the work being carried out to complete the Major ('Heavy') Overhaul of '257 Squadron' at Herston Works, during May and part of June. As previously, these photos have not been allocated any numbers. However, they are the continuation from my Post of 19th April and will therefore be:

- Pics 57 to 73 incl. Please use the link below to see these photos:

[There are also some photos showing the work being carried out (off site by a sub-contractor) on the Boiler for 34028'Eddystone'}

A brief Report on the progress of the 'Major Overhaul' of this Locomotive:

Firstly, although this was originally termed a 'Major Overhaul', it has actually turned out to be a 'Restoration' over the past 5 years (yes, 5 years!). This is due to the extremely poor condition of the Locomotive when it entered Herston Works. Hence the reason why it has taken much longer than anticipated. (As mentioned in my very first Post on this Topic, this Locomotive had already been Restored from 'Scrap Yard' condition' but was withdrawn in 2003 (with Firebox problems) after more than 12 years service on the Swanage Railway).

However, the 'finish line' is now in sight with final painting, lining out and numbering virtually complete.

It is expected that the Locomotive will leave Herston Works this month, when it will be united with its (new) Tender. Initial 'Steaming and Testing' will then take place over the Summer.

The return to service of 'Squadron' in 1990 involved some 60 mph running on the Main Line to Dover! No chance of that this time though, unfortunately.

I was saddened to hear the news this morning that Flying Officer Ken Wilkinson has died, at the age of 99. He was one of the few remaining Pilots who took part in the 'Battle of Britain' in 1940, during WW2 (616 Squadron and 19 Squadron) also serving under the command of Air Vice -Marshal Keith Park. It was indeed a pleasure for me to meet him and talk to him (together with Wing Commander Dick Summers and Squadron Leader Tony Pickering) at the Recommissioning Ceremony for 34053 'Sir Keith Park', at the Severn Valley Railway, on 31st August 2013.

Furthermore (and most relevant to this particular Topic) Ken Wilkinson helped in raising funds for the original Restoration of 34072'257 Squadron'. See the link below:

I am pleased to report that, following a four year Major ('Heavy') Overhaul/Restoration, 'Battle of Britain Class' Locomotive 34072'257 Squadron' finally left Herston Works (for the Swanage Railway) on Monday 21st August.

Some more photos have been posted on the Southern Locomotives Ltd website.

These show the final work being carried out on '257 Squadron' prior to the Locomotive leaving Herston Works on 21st August (as reported in my previous Post, above). Some final 'fettling' work is now being carried out to enable 34072 to commence the 'running in' process.

Also included are photos of the Frames and wheelsets for 34028'Eddystone', currently at Tyseley Locomotive Works (formerly the 'Birmingham Railway Museum'). These items will soon be transported back to Swanage and into Herston works, to continue the '10 Year' Major ('Heavy') Overhaul of this Locomotive. Once this commences, I will then Report separately upon this Overhaul (under the existing Topic: Overhaul of Locomotive 34028 'Eddystone').

There are also some photos included relating to 34010'Sidmouth' and Standard Tank 80104, masquerading as (scrapped) 80146.

As before, these photos have not been numbered, but they are a continuation from my Post of 12th June and will therefore be:

'257 Squadron' is almost 'ready to run'. A pressure test on the Superheater Header has been requested by the Boiler Inspector and this should be carried out in the next week or so.

This completes the work on this Locomotive and therefore I plan to Post all further Reports under the existing 'Overhaul of Locomotive 34028 'Eddystone' Topic, which will be the next one to enter the Works (before the Restoration of 34010'Sidmouth').

However, as with 'Sir Keith Park', I will continue to Post news of '257 Squadron' in operational service under this same Topic.

Minty4371 wrote:Smoke was seen coming from the chimney of 34072 today (20/11/17).Saw the short video on Facebook.Onwards to running and working for Swanage Railway.Thank you for your work on her Ray.

Thank you Robert, that's great news! I was working at Swanage last week (Wed to Sat) for the 'Volunteer Session', plus our annual 'Drive & Fire'. Work was still going on regarding the 'final fettling' of 'Squadron' at the Railway (whilst we were doing other things in the Works).

Thank you Robert. Good to see 34072 'come to life' again, at last! We just missed being able to have our 'Drive & Fire' a couple of weeks ago on her. We had it on the Standard Tank 80146 (actually 80106) That was good because, although I have previously been on the Footplate, I had not driven or fired this particular Locomotive. I must say that it was a lovely Locomotive to drive (plus, another one to add to my 'portfolio' of those upon which I have had a 'Drive & Fire').

Regarding the Crest and Nameplate being already fitted, this is not that unusual nowadays. For the Recommissioning, as with 'Sir Keith Park', these would be 'curtained off' for the Ceremony.